Carbonated beverage dispenser



Nov. 19, 1957 l. J. ALBERT CARBONATED BEVERAGE DISPENSER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 21, 195e N0V 19, 1957 l. J. ALBERT 2,813,662

CARBONATED BEVERAGE DISPENSER Filed May 2l, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'fig-5. 3o 5f 32 9 i Ill ilk 5 0 INVENToR. -7 l IRWIN a. ALBERT E ATTORNEY CRBNTFD BEVERAGE DESPENSER Irwin E. Albert, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Soda Disenser inc., Philadelphia, Fa., a corporation of Penn- Sylvania Application May 21, 1955, Serial No. 586,211

7 Claimso (El. 222 145) The present invention relates generally to dispensing apparatus for carbonated beverages and more particularly to improvements in apparatus for combining a syrup and carbonated water to form the carbonated beverage to be dispensed.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide such apparatus with a valve assembly and means for actuating the same wherein only a simple manipulation of the latter is required for either opening or closing both the syrup and carbonated water passages.

Another principal object of the present invention is to provide such apparatus with a passage for the syrup which is free obstructions throughout the entire length thereof.

Still another principal object of the present invention is to provide such apparatus with parts that are readily disassembled to facilitate maintenance and cleaning, and readily reassembled.

And still another principal object of the present inven tion is to provide such apparatus with means for iinely subdividing the carbonated water preliminarily to mixture thereof with the syrup, and with a receiver or mixing head in which the carbonated water in finally subdivided state is mixed with the syrup under such reduced pressure that extreme foaming of the mixture is eliminated.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully hereinafter, it being understood that the invention consists substantially in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as described in the accompanying drawings and as finally pointed out in the appended claims.

ln the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a dispensing apparatus constructed in accordance with and embodying the priuciples of the present invention, the valve actuating handle being shown in closed position;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus of Figure 1, the valve actuating handle being shown in open position;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 3 3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is the same as Figure 4 but shows the valve assembly in open instead of closed position;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the device for combining the syrup and carbonated water taken on line 6 6 of Figure 3, shown apart from the mixing head;

Figures 7 and 8 are vertical sections taken respectively on lines 7 7 and 8 8 of Figure 3;

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken on line 9 9 of Figure 6; and

Figure l0 is an exploded View of the device for combining the syrup and carbonated Water, omitting the mixing head.

Referring particularly to Figures l, 2 and 3, the dispensing apparatus constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention comprises a syrup container generally designated 10, a conduit 11 for conducting carbonated water to the apparatus 2,13%? Patented Nov. 1Q, 195? from a source of supply (not shown) thereof and a device generally designated 12 that underlies the container 10 and is operative to combine syrup and carbonated water supplied thereto respectively from the container 10 and the conduit 11, whereby to form the carbonated beverage to be dispensed. f

The container 1d has a horizontally extending bottom 13, upright sides 14 and a cover provided with a positionally fixed section 15 and a hinged section 16.

The device 12 is provided with a horizontally extending generally cylindrical main body part 17 the rear end portion of which has a tlat horizontally extending upper surface area 18 that is opposed to the undersurface of the container bottom 13. interposed between the opposed surfaces aforesaid is a washer 19. Projecting freely downwardly through the container bottom 13 and the main' body part 17 is the lower end portion Ztl of a iitting generally designated by the numeral 21. The upper end portion of this fitting, designated 22, is enlarged in diameter to thereby form an annular shoulder 23 that is lirmly seated upon the upper surface of the container bottom 13.

rl`he tting 2l is provided with an axially extending through bore 23, and the enlarged portion 22 of the fitting 21 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially equally spaced bores 24 that extend radially outwardly from the central bore 23. Projected downwardly into the upper end of the central bore 23 is a valve stem 25 that may be threaded more or less into the fitting 21 to thereby control communication of the several bores 24 with the central bore 23. Referring particularly to Figures 6 and 9, this central bore 23 communicates with the lower end portion of the main body bore into which the fitting 2l is threaded, this bore portion being designated 26. The bore portion 26 in turn communicates with the upper end of a bore 27 that is inclined downwardly and forwardly and to one side of the central axis of the main body part 17. At the lower end thereof, the bore 27 communicates with the rear end of a bore Z8 that extends parallel to the axis of the main body 17. It Will be observed that the bores aforesaid conjointly form an unobstructed continuous passage for the syrup from the container lil all the way to the point of discharge from the main body 17.

Diametrically opposite the bore 28 and extending axially of the main body part 17 parallel to the bore 2S is a through bore that is provided with an intermediate portion 29 which is constricted to form an internal annular shoulder 30 adapted to serve as a valve seat. The conduit 11 is provided with a coupling 31 that is removably threaded into the aft end portion of this bore, designated 32. Projected into the fore end portion of this bore, designated 33, is a valve that has a body 34 which is round in transverse cross section, being smaller in diameter than the bore portion 33. The inner end portion of the Valve body, designated 35, is reduced in diameter and projects freely into the constricted bore portion 29. Mounted upon this reduced diameter inner end portion of the valve body 34 is a washer 36, and mounted upon an intermediate valve body portion is a sealing ring 37. intermediate the washer 35 and the sealing ring 37, the valve body is provided with a circumferentially extending external groove 3S. lt will be observed that there is `a. space 39 extending axially between the washer 36 and the sealing ring 37 and around the valve body 34. This space 39 is constantly in communication with a bore 4t) that extends radially into the valve body and then axially forwardly to the end thereof. Referring particularly to Figure 5, it will be observed that the main body through bore section that extends aft of the sealing ring 37 and the bore 40 that extends through the valve body 34 form a continuous passage for the carbonated water from the conduit 11 to the point of discharge from the valve body.

Disposed in registry With the main body bore 28 is a valve element that is in the form of a pad 41 which is made of any suitable material. This pad 41 and the valve body 34 are mounted respectively upon the opposite end portions of a cross head 42. A reduced diameter fore end portion of the valve body 34 is projected freely through the cross head 42, being secured to the latter by a diiuser element that is in the form of a cap 43 which is threaded upon the free end portion of the valve body. The crown of the cap 43 is cross split, as at 44. The pad 41 is secured to the cross head 42 by any convenient means, as by a suitable adhesive agent.

The main body part 17 is provided centrally with an axially extending through bore that has a large diameter aft section 45 which communicates with a small diameter fore section 46, and internal annular shoulder 47 being formed where these bore sections meet. The rear end portion of the main body part 17 is provided with a cross bore 4S that extends through one side thereof and commnnicates with the aft bore section 45 aforesaid. In the wall of the latter that is diametrically opposite the cross bore 48 is an auxiliary bore portion 49 which registers with the cross bore 48. Freely projected through the cross bore 48 and extending .across the aft bore section 45 and into the auxiliary bore portion 49 is a shaft 50, the outer end portion of which is turned as shown to form a handle 51 to facilitate turning7 the shaft about its axis.

The cross head 42 is threaded upon the fore end of a member 52 that extends freely through the fore bore section 46 aforesaid. The aft end of the member 52 is enlarged to form a head 53 that moves freely within the aft bore section 45, being disposed proximate the shaft 50. Wrapped freely about the member 52 and disposed between the head 53 and the opposed annular shoulder 47, within the aft bore section 45, is a coil spring 54 that operates to bias the valve assembly comprisingr the member 52, cross head 42, valve element 41 and valve body 34 rearwardly. interposed between the head S3 and the shaft 50 is a ball bearing 55 the diametrically opposite sides of which are received respectively in depressions formed in the head 53 and the shatt 50, designated 56 and 57. Referring particularly to Figure 4, in the closed position of the valve assembly, the washer 36 that is mounted on the inner end of the valve body 34 is firmly engaged with the valve seat 30 and the pad 41 that is mounted on the cross head 42 is iirmly engaged with the opposed fore end surface of the main body part 17, the head 53 lof the member 52 is spaced slightly from the shaft 50 and the ball bearing 55 is loosely nested within the hollow formed conjointly by the depression 56 in the head 53 and the depression 57 in the shaft 50.

One end portion of a receiver or mixing head in the form of a hollow member 58 is removably iitted over the front end of the main body part 17 and secured thereto by a 4screw 59. This mixing head completely encases the front end portion of the main body part 17 and the cross head 42 and is provided with a reduced diameter depending opposite end portion or mouth 60 through which the carbonated beverage is discharged.

` In order to dispense carbonated beverage, the operator moves the valve actuating handle 51 from the position thereof shown in Figure l to that shown in Figure 2, whereupon the shaft 50 is turned about its axis and the depression 57 that is formed in the shaft 50 is moved out of registry with the ball bearing 55, in consequence of which an undepressed outer surface portion of the shaft 50 engages the ball bearing and moves it forwardly, the action being that of a cam operating a follower. Simultaneously, the valve assembly is shifted forwardly against the influence of the coil spring 54, whereupon the washer H 36 and the pad 41 are unseated and the passages for the syrup and the carbonated water are fully opened.

The carbonated water is finely subdivided by the diffuser element or cap 43 and is discharged with the syrup into the receiver or mixing head 58. The latter is of a size sutlicient to reduce internal pressure to a point where excessive foaming of the materials combined therein is eliminated. The nal product, of course, issues from the mouth 60.

In order to shut olf the apparatus, the operator moves the handle 51 back to its initial position, in consequence of which the ball bearing re-enters the depression S7, and the coil spring 54 acts to shift the valve assembly rearwardly to its initial position, whereupon the washer 36 and the pad 41 are reseated to thereby effectively close the passages for the syrup and the carbonated water.

The apparatus of the present invention is readily disassembled to facilitate maintenance and cleaning. For example, iirst the litting 21 can be turned out of the main body part 17, whereupon the fitting 21 is free for separation from the container 10` The coupling 3l can now be turned out of the main body part 17 so that the balance of the apparatus may be handled conveniently. The screw 59 can then be turned out of the main body part 17, whereupon the receiver or mixing head 58 is free for separation from the main body part 17. In order to take the Valve assembly apart, the member 52 is turned farther into the cross head 42, against the inuence of the coil spring 54, a distance approximately equal to the depth of the depression 57 that is formed in the shaft 50, whereupon the shaft 50 is free for separation from the main body part 17. Then the member 52 is turned in the opposite direction until disengaged from the cross head 42, whereupon the ball bearing 55, member 52 and coil spring 54 are free for separation from the main body part 17 and from one another, while the cross head 42 and the valve body 34 likewise are free for separation from the main body part 17 and, upon removal of the cap 43, from one another. In this disassembled condition of the apparatus the component parts thereof may each be thoroughly cleaned both outside and inside with a minimum expenditure of time and effort. In order to reassemble the apparatus, the procedure outlined above is reversed.

It Will be understood, of course, that the present invention as hereinbefore described and shown in the accompanying drawings is susceptible of various changes and modiiications which may be made from time to time without departing from the general principles or real spirit of the invention, and accordingly, it is intended to claim the same broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated bythe appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful:

1. A dispensing apparatus for carbonated beverages comprising a supply container for syrup, a supply conduit for carbonated water, and a device for combining the syrup and carbonated water to form the carbonated beverage to be dispensed, said device including a main body part having a pair of separate internal passages formed therein for respectively receiving said syrup and carbonated water and discharging the same from said main body part in the same general direction, means for valving said passages including a member carried by and axially shiftable relative to said main body part, a cross head carried by said member and extending over the discharge ends of said passages, said passage for the syrup being closed thereby and being unobstructed throughout its entire length between said container and cross head, a valve element carried by said cross head and extending into the passage for the carbonated water, a valve seat formed internally of the passage for the carbonated water and `operatively engaged by the inner end portion of said element, said element being internally bored to provide a channel which, when said valve element is unseated, communicates with the carbonated water passage portion on the upstream side of said valve seat, said cross head and valve element being shiftable as a unit with said member to open said passages for the free flow of syrup and carbonated water therethrough, and a receiver for the syrup and carbonated water discharged, said syrup and carbonated water being combined in said receiver to form the carbonated beverage to be dispensed.

2. A dispensing apparatus for carbonated beverages comprising a supply container for syrup, a supply conduit for carbonated water, and a device for combining the syrup and carbonated water to form the carbonated beverage to be dispensed, said device including a main body part having a pair of separate internal passages formed therein for respectively receiving said syrup and carbonated water and discharging the same from said main body part in the same general direction, means for valving said passages including a member carried by and axially shiftable relative to said main body part, a cross head carried by said member and extending over the discharge ends of said passages, said passage for the syrup being closed thereby, a valve element carried by said cross head and extending into the passage for the carbonated water, a valve seat formed internally of the passage for the carbonated water and operatively engaged by the inner end portion of said element, the relative sizes of the latter and the associated passage portion being such as to provide a space extending about the inner end portion of said element, said element being internally bored to provide a channel which communicates with said space and when said element is unseated, through the medium of said space with the carbonated water passage portion on the upstream side of said valve seat, said cross head and valve element being shiftable as a unit with said member to open said passages for the free flow of syrup and carbonated water therethrough and a receiver for the syrup and carbonated water discharged, said syrup and carbonated water being combined in said receiver to forni the carbonated beverage.

3. A dispensing apparatus for carbonated beverages comprising a supply container for syrup, a supply conduit for carbonated water, and a device for combining the syrup and carbonated water to form the carbonated beverage to be dispensed, said device including a main body part having a pair of separate internal passages formed therein for respectively receiving said syrup and carbonated water and discharging the same from said main body part in the same general direction, means for valving said passages including a member carried by and axially shiftable relative to said main body part, a cross head carried by said member and extending over the discharge ends of said passages, said passage for the syrup being closed thereby, a valve element carried by said cross head and extending freely into the passage for the `carbonated water in spaced relation to the surrounding wall of the latter, a valve seat formed internally of the passage for the carbonated water and operatively engaged by the inner end portion of said element, means extending about said element and sealing the space extending about the inner end portion thereof, said element being internally bored to provide a channel which communicates with said space and, when said element is unseated, through the medium of said space with the carbonated water passage portion on the upstream side or" said valve seat, said cross head and valve element being shiftable as a unit with said member to open said passages for the free flow of syrup and carbonated water therethrough, and a receiver for the syrup and carbonated water discharged, said syrup and carbonated water being combined in said receiver to form the carbonated beverage.

4. in a dispensing apparatus for carbonated beverages, a device for combining syrup and carbonated water to form a carbonated beverage comprising a main body part provided with a through bore having a large diameter section communicating with a small diameter section, and a pair of separate internal passages formed therein for respectively receiving said syrup and carbonated water 6 and discharging the same from said main body part in the same general direction, the passage for the carbonated water being parallel to said through bore, and means for controlling said passages including valve means and valve actuating means, said valve means including a member having a body projecting through said small diameter bore section and a head fitted into said large diameter bore section, a cross head removably mounted upon the free end portion of said member, a valve element carried by said cross head and extending into said passage for the carbonated water, and a coil spring freely fitted into said large diameter bore section and wrapped loosely about the body of said member for yieldably biasing said member, cross head and valve element toward said main body part, said valve actuating means including a shaft removably fitted into said main body part and extending crosswise into Said large diameter bore section proximate the head of said member, said member and coil spring being freely removable from said main body part through said large diameter bore section and freely separable from one another, to facilitate cleaning of said device, upon detachment of said cross head from said member and withdrawal of said shaft from said large diameter bore section.

5. In a dispensing apparatus for carbonated beverages, a device for combining syrup and carbonated water to form a carbonated beverage as defined in claim 4 wherein the valve actuating means includes a spherical element interposed between the head of the member fitted into the through bore and the shaft fitted into the main body part, said head and shaft being provided with opposed depressions respecttvely receiving and operatively seating diametrically opposite sides or said element, and the body of said member projecting through the small diameter bore section is threaded through the cross head and turnable about its axis tor drawing said head away from said shaft against the mnuence ot the coil spring a distance at least approxtmately equal to the depth ot the sphere seating depression tormed 1n said shaft.

o. 1n a dispensing apparatus for carbonated beverages, a device ror combining syrup and carbonated water to form a carbonated beverage as denned in claim 4 wherein the valve element is projected through and removably secured to said cross head and freely shittable axially therewith tor removal trom the passage tor the carbonated water, said valve element is internally channeled and provided with a dinuser element removably rastened to the discharge end thereor tor dinusing carbonated water discharged trom said channel. into a receiver removably embracing one end portion ot the main body part and coacting with the latter to encase said cross head.

ln a dispensing apparatus tor carbonated beverages, a device tor combining syrup and carbonated water to torni a carbonated beverage comprising a main body part provided with a through bore, and a pair ot' separate internai passages formed therein for respectively receiving said syrup and carbonated Water and discharging the same trom said main body part in the same general direction, and means tor controlling Said passages including valve means and valve actuating means, said valve means including an elongated member shiftably fitted into said through bore, a cross head removably mounted upon one end portion of said member, a valve element carried by said cross head and extending into said passage for the carbonated water, and a coil spring wrapped loosely about said member and arranged for yieldably biasing said member, cross head and valve element toward said main body part, and said valve actuating means including a shaft removably fitted into said main body part and extending crosswise into said lthrough bore across the opposite end portion of said member, said member and coil spring being freely removable from said main body part and freely separable fram one another, to facilitate cleaning of said device, upon detachment of said cross head from said member and withdrawal of said shaft from said through bore.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS France Sept. 2, 1935 

